Hamas to foreign journalists: You must hold press cards

Hamas on Sunday issued new directives requiring foreign journalists who work in the Gaza Strip to hold press cards issued by its press office.

Hamas said that the new directives were aimed at “facilitating and organizing the mission of our foreign colleagues.”

It warned that journalists who fail to comply would be held legally accountable and would not be permitted to work in the Gaza Strip.

“Any journalist who does not carry this card will be held legally accountable and could be prevented from practicing his work,” the press office said.

The journalists are required to provide Hamas’s press office with information about their Palestinian translators and guarantors, as well as the address where they intend to stay during their visit to the Gaza Strip.